11am–10pm Everyday
Meet Our Pals
Established in 2022, Pals is a team passionate about great food, shared effort, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
Faye McBain - General Manager
Faye joined our family in 2014 as part of the opening team at MEAT, spent some time at Pip, and eventually helped open Pals in 2022 as General Manager. Not one for a desk job, she found her groove the moment she stepped into hospitality, starting out as a hostess at Chili's and realizing right away that working with people was exactly where she belonged. Her outgoing energy and love for connecting with others have been a perfect fit ever since.
Alex Daigle - Head Chef
Alex joined us in 2017 as part of the Pip opening team and made the move to Pals in 2022. Learning to cook as a kid is where it all started, and that early love for food never left. Alex's passion lies in leading his kitchen of pals, having fun, and making really good food for good people.
Michael Rebalkin, Saylish Haas & Nathan McLaughlin - Owners
Childhood friends Saylish Haas, Michael Rebalkin, and Nathan McLaughlin are the team behind some of Old Strathcona's favourite spots - The Next Act, MEAT, Pip, Pals, and Marlo - all conveniently tucked into one lively corner of the neighbourhood. Before striking out on their own, each of them honed their craft in different ways. Mike cut his teeth in restaurant operations with the Joey group; Nathan earned his Red Seal and cooked his way through kitchens at Earls, Joey, and the Fairmont; and Saylish built a strong business foundation as a regional manager with Urban Barn. After a trip to Mexico in 2010, the three decided to take the leap and buy The Next Act. From there, things grew naturally, as neighbouring spaces became available. Over the years, they've been proud to help shape Old Strathcona's food scene and contribute to Edmonton's dining culture, one restaurant at a time. For this trio it's always been about the same simple things: great food, welcoming spaces, and being part of a community they love.